Glen Mhor 25 Years Old Ses Fine Old Higland Malt (Sestante)

The Italian bottler Sestante bottled this Glen Mhor, a 25 year old, distilled in 1963, bottled at 40%. Glen Mhor was one of three Inverness distilleries, alongside Glen Albyn and Millburn, all now gone. Its water came from Loch Ness, drawn down the River Ness to the distillery.

This was worked through the stills and worm tubs for a rich, oily body, giving a rich, robust Highland spirit. It was matured in refill ex-Bourbon oak, a soft vanilla beneath the oily fruit. In the oxidative, evaporative years concentration brings dried fruit, fig and a waxy, oily depth over the spirit. Refill oak lets the full, oily Glen Mhor character lead the way. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the fruit. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the oily, waxy core over the decades. The clean spirit shows the cask clearly, which is why it suits both bourbon and sherry. Closed in 1983 and demolished in 1986, its profile is fixed for good.

At 40% it is rich, oily and fruity. Apple, pear and a waxy oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run apple, pear and a waxy oil. The finish runs oily, full and warming. This is a single malt from one of the lost Inverness distilleries.